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DRE55 HINTS 

FOR MEN • IMF 

PRESENTEB BY 

BLANK, BLANK & CO., 

BLANK ST.. BLANKVILLE. 












dress well is economy. Well, made and per 
feet fitting garments are not only pleasing 
to the eye, but they are much more service- 
able than cheap and poor -fit ting garments, 
and therefore cost less in the long run. 
In purchasing apparel of any kind, every 
man should seek a reliable guarantee of 
quality ; and there is no guarantee better 
than that of long established success and 
honorable reputation. Success and good reputation come only from 
honorable dealing, experience and knowledge; and thai means a con- 
scientious regard for every customer s welfare, and taste and judgment 
to supply them. 

We are fully alive to the fact that our continued prosperity de- 
pends on your good-will, on your confidence, on your satisfaction with 
our goods and our methods ; and if you are not already a customer, 
we desire to make you one by proving to you that we know how to 
meet your wants, how to advise you safely in mailers of dress ; by 
placing our knowledge and experience at your service ; by pleasing 
you with our goods and our prices ; by fully informing you of the 
respective qualities of the goods we offer, and always giving you the 
best possible value for your money ; in a wo%i, in making it for 
your interest to deal with us. 

Copyrighted, 1891, by The Jos. W. Gibson Co. 




FOR SPRING AND SUMMER. 




HE approach of spring and summer renders it necessary 
to replace many articles of your wardrobe with others 
more seasonable. 

In making your purchases of light apparel there are 
many points on which you will wish information and 
advice. 

You will find this little book a material aid ; for it 
tells a good deal that you will probably want to know about men's furnish- 
ings for the opening season, and will assist you materially in deciding 
what is best for you to buy. 

Most of the goods catalogued we carry constantly in stock at the 
proper seasons ; and are always prepared to show them in great variety. 
We make a particular point of showing correct and accepted styles ; 
and we offer this season, in a handsome selection of all classes of men's 
furnishings, the best productions of leading New York, London, and Paris 
manufacturers. 





OUTING GARMENTS. 

HE great prevalence of athletic sports of all kinds gives 
great importance to the special garments prepared for 
outing purposes ; and we give much care to this de- 
partment of our stock. We are prepared to supply 
every requisite in the way of negligee garments suited 
to all the many varied occasions for which they are now 
used. 

Blazers of flannel and serge, are now used by every one for 
negligee purposes We have them in several grades. They 
come in stripes ranging from narrow lines to two inches wide, 
neat small checks, and solid colors. When you buy be sure 
as to quality. Of late they have been cheapened very much 
both in fabric and coloring. We don't advise you to buy the 
cheapest, because they will not do you good service. Better 
pay a little more and get something that will "last. Insist on 
fast colors and firm fabrics. As to price, we can suit you. 

Flannel Coats with woven effects are in some respects more 
desirable than blazers, although they cost more. They 
haven't yet been cheapened by poor imitations ; and then 
too, they are more quiet and refined in their colorings, and 
are therefore growing in favor with those who don't approve 
of black or red. The patterns run about the same as in the 
blazers, but the colors are all soft and are woven instead of 
printed, and, therefore, entirely durable. The fabric of 




these garments is excellent, being fine twilled 
flannel or serge. They will keep their shape 
and wash well. They cost more than the 
blazers, but then you will be better dressed 
when wearing one. 
Tennis Caps in various colors to match coats. 

Belts in silk or silk-mixed webs, and leather, in various patterns. 
Solid colors, crimson, scarlet, light-blue, navy-blue, black, etc., 
and combination stripes of all colors and various widths. Be 
sure to get a good belt ; a cheap web soon stretches out ; a cheap 
clasp soon breaks. The solid bent clasps are the best ; those 
soldered at the joints soon give out. A good clasp is fire gilt, 
and the gilt will not wear off nor tarnish ; but cheap gilt gets 
brassy in a few days. Leather belts are now stylish ; they are 
very serviceable. 

Sashes are now much used for elegant summer neglige, and 
we recommend them as a handsome and picturesque article 
of attire. If properly adjusted they afford all needed sup- 
port to the trousers and are more comfortable, as well 
as more sightly, than a belt, as they do not "bind" about 
the waist. We show them in silks, in all colors and com- 
binations, plain and in various widths of stripes. Cross 
stripes in college colors are much in favor. Don't buy a 



short and narrow sash, it will soon get stringy. Pay a little more 
and buy a larger one, and you will be better satisfied. 

Tennis Trousers in white and grey flannel and serge. These come 
in various weights. Light weights don't keep their shape as well as 
heavy weights. Govern your choice according to your use. For 
athletic purposes where shape doesn't count, buy light weights ; for 
lounging or house wear buy the heavy weights if you are very par- 
ticular. Don't buy extremely fine white flannel; it turns yellow, 
shrinks badly, and soils easily ; a coarser fabric is better. Serge is 
better than flannel, as it has a hard, smooth surface, doesn't shrink 
much, nor soil readily. Be sure to buy trousers plenty long, as they 
will shrink to some extent in washing. 

Bicycle and Base Ball Uniforms we can supply to order on short 
notice, with appropriate club emblems or monograms. 

Bicycle Hose. (See Hosiery.) 

Negligee Shirts. (See separate department under that head.) 






NEGLIGEE AND SUMMER SHIRTS. 

HE immense demand which has arisen for negligee shirts 
has this season caused the production of an unusual 
variety of desirable shirting fabrics, as follows : 
Pure Silk, Silk and Cotton Mixtures, Silk 
and Flannel Mixtures, Fancy Flannels, 
Fancy Cotton Fabrics. 
These are adapted for various purposes, and permit a very desirable 
combination of comfort and elegance in a greater degree than heretofore. 
We show a handsome line of shirts in these various fabrics, in a wide 
range of prices, and suited for various occasions. 

Fine Flannel Shirts are now a necessity in every man's wardrobe. 
We show them in numerous handsome colorings with stripes, plaids, 
and checks. The handsomest patterns are those with silk stripes, 
which are very attractive. A man wearing a silk-striped flannel shirt 
is always well dressed and neat in appearance. A word of caution : 
Like all good things in popular demand, fancy flannel shirts are now 
extensively made in cheap imitations. After one washing these in- 
ferior goods become very " cottony" in appearance, and the colors 
run and fade. Don't buy them if you wish shirts that will look well 
and do you good service. About $2.50 is as low as a good flannel 
shirt can be sold for. Others that look about as well are sold for less, 
but we don't recommend them. Buy flannel shirts about two sizes 



larger than white shirts to allow for shrinkage. We'll tell you how 
to keep them from shrinking too much. It's only a matter of wash- 
ing them properly. 

Silk Shirts are now the thing for elegant negligee — not for athletics, 
they're not suited for that — but for summer lounging, when one wants 
to be comfortable, cool, easy, and yet handsomely attired, they are 
perfection. They come in white and cream grounds with stripes or 
hair lines in delicate colors, or with woven figures without color. 
The range of prices is very wide. Pure silk shirts — fine twill or firm 
pongee — are of course very expensive and only suited to those with 
whom price is no object — but they're awfully nice. Most of the so- 
called " silk " shirts are silk wefts — that is, the outer thread is silk 
and the inner cotton. If this fabric is of good quality — that is, if the 
silk threads are heavy enough and the texture is firm — it is the most 
satisfactory silk material, for it wears better, stands washing better, is 
much cheaper than the pure silk, and is just as good-looking. But 
look out for the very low-priced silk shirts. The silk is all on the 
surface and will disappear after one washing, after which the garment 
cannot be distinguished from cotton. Don't buy silk shirts at all 
unless you are willing to pay a price which will ensure a good article 
— and good silk shirts are not low-priced. 

Fine Cotton Shirting Fabrics are coming into prominence this 
summer both for negligee and ordinary wear. To this class belong 
the Oxford Cloths, which are made of the finest grade of long 
cotton, but of large threads loosely woven in a peculiar weave; the 
Madras, Zephyr, or Cambridge Cloths, of the very finest and 
softest texture, plain or twilled weave ; and the Cheviots, close 
woven of heavy, hard-twisted threads. All these have woven colored 
stripes, checks, and plaids in almost innumerable combinations, sizes, 
and colors. They are extremely " swell " and much in favor. This 
season they are shown for the first time in combination with silk 
stripes, etc. ; and there are numerous handsome variations in the 
weaves by the introduction of twills combined with the regular weaves. 
For negligee wear they are made up with turn-over collars and with- 







» 




S* T K AND FLANNEL SHIRTS. 



out bosoms, and are laundered either with soft finish or 
starched collars and cuffs. Madras, Cambridge, or Zephyr cloths 
are also very desirable for ordinary wear, for which purpose 
they are usually made to order with standing collars, pleated 
starched bosoms, etc. 




DRESS SHIRTS. 




N dress shirts we offer the following selections in bosoms: 

Plain Linen, Linen with neat All-over Embroid- 
ery, Linen with Delicate Line Embroidery, 
Plain Pique with Wales from Very Narrow 
to Very Wide, Fancy Pique, Embroidered 
Pique, Plain Satine Stripe, Embroidered 
Satine Stripe. 
We use the best Paris-made bosoms, of unequaled quality and strictly 
correct in style. Beside the handsome assortment which we constantly 
carry in stock, in our shirt manufacturing department we make shirts to 
order of a special grade of excellence, always guaranteeing a perfect fit, 

10 




EVERY VARIETY IN DRESS SHIRTS. 
11 




m-^ 



FOR THE HOUSE. 




MOKING JACKETS, Loun- 
ging Robes, Bath Robes, 
Pajamas, etc., are essential 
to a gentleman's complete 
wardrobe, and these we sup- 
ply either from stock or to 
special order. 

Smoking Jackets or House Coats, Loun- 
ging or Dressing Robes, 
etc., are now made in a 
variety of fine woolen 
goods of various weights 
and attractive patterns. 
Pretty browns and 
dark- blues are much 
used, but for those who prefer 
them there are handsome light 
broken plaids in several colors. 
The great comfort and con- 
venience of these garments 
recommend them highly, and 
we offer them at such moder- 
ate prices as to bring them 
within the reach of all. 




house coats. 



are all tailor-made, and are remarkable for their perfect fit and ele- 
gant style. Even the cheapest are handsome and sightly garments. 
Higher grades are finished with quilted linings, collars, pockets, and 




SMOKING JACKETS. 

cuffs, or with silk cord, loops, etc., and for gentlemen who are 
luxurious in their tastes, we can supply to order very elegant garments 
of fine cloth matelasse silk or velvet ; but we do not always carry these 
expensive grades in stock. 



13 




LOUNGING ROBES. 




PAJAMAS. 



U 



Bath Robes of plain crash, or with fancy embroidered edges. 

Pajamas are the model garments for night, being more comfortable, 
convenient, and stylish than night shirts. Although not hitherto 
widely worn they are fast coming into general use on their merits. 
Those who once sleep in them never return to a night shirt ; and 
they are most comfortable for lounging in the chamber in hot weather. 
They come in nainsook, cheviot, madras, pongee silk, etc., and 
very pretty suits can be bought at a very moderate price. Elaborate 
Pajama Suits of fine silk with embroidery, supplied to order. 




BATH ROBES. 

15 




NIGHT SHIRTS, ALL KINDS AND QUALITIES. 



Night Shirts in plain nainsook or muslin ; with collars, cuffs, pockets, 
and front ornamented with plain and tasteful edging ; with white or 
colored embroidery on collars, cuffs, pockets, and fronts, ranging from 
simple to very elaborate, and from very low priced to very expensive. 
We show a desirable assortment of these goods, selected with an eye 
to good taste — not too elaborate or showy, but quiet and neat. 




16 




GOOD NIGHT. 





SPRING AND SUMMER NECKWEAR.— SHAPES. 

N spring and summer neckwear we offer a very inviting 
selection in correct shapes and a great variety of 
fabrics. We give especial care to this important de- 
partment, and our stock shows the best things pro- 
duced by the best New York and London houses. 

Knots, Four-in-Hands, and Windsors, which continue the lead- 
ing scarfs for summer wear, we show in all variety of summer 
fabrics in made-up knots. 

The Open-Top Teck is a favorite summer pattern. It has a 
long, narrow knot and loose, graceful, flowing ends, making a 
light, cool scarf. 

Four-in-Hands range from 2% to 3 inches wide, and continue as 
popular as ever. 

Windsors are now in great demand for negligee dress, for which 
many persons prefer them above all other scarfs. 

Dress Bows in white lawn of the proper size and shapes. 

Street and Negligee Bows, in all popular shapes and fabrics. 

Puff Scarfs, Ascots, De Joinvilles, and other scarfs of limited 
sale we show in suitable assortment at their proper seasons. 

18 



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EVERY FASHIONABLE SHAPE IN NECKWEAR. 
19 




SPRING AND SUMMER NECKWEAR.— FABRICS. 



OOD TASTE in summer neckwear is shown in the 
proper selection of fabrics, which then offer a much 
wider range than at other seasons. To be well-dressed 
in summer a man must wear a scarf which not only is 
cool but looks cool. Dark, heavy silks are out of place; 
something filmy, soft, and delicate is what is wanted. 
Here are some suggestions about desirable things in 




summer scarfs. 



Pongee Silk is light, soft and pleasing to the eye, and is one of the best 
hot-weather fabrics. Nothing is better than white,- provided you do 
not expect too much in the way of durability ; fo r , of course, you 
can't wear a white scarf long without soiling it. Plain white is good, 
but better yet is the variety which has a delicate woven pattern, also 
white. Others have delicate stripes in soft colors. This class of 
effects is much worn in New York in warm weather. 

Then there are the colored pongees or foulards, which are nearly, 
not quite, the same. They are of white grounds with large scroll 
patterns printed in colors, usually black, navy or light-blue, or 
maroon, but sometimes of other colors ; or of dark grounds with the 
patterns in white. These are also very popular • for while they are 
not so dressy as the pure white, they are more durable because they 
don't soil so readily. They are especially suitable for Windsors, or 
knots with flowing ends. 



Washable Fabrics for four-in-hands are white lawns, plain or em- 
broidered linen crashes, which are very pretty and durable, and piques, 
plain or fancy. Then there are scarfs in Oxford cloth, Madras cloth, 
etc., intended especially to wear with negligee shirts of similar cloths. 

Flannel Scarfs in pretty color effects, with silk mixtures, are desirable 
for negligee wear, with flannel shirts. 

Evening" Scarfs in white and delicate colored silks, in artistic and 
pleasing tints and combinations. White silk crepes with beautiful 
embroidered figures, Grenadines, etc. 

For Ordinary Wear we show a variety of silks that cover all the 
fashionable colors and patterns and suited to every taste. 




si 





HOSIERY, GLOVES, HANDKERCHIEFS, 
SUSPENDERS. 

ULL lines of hosiery in all desirable grades in Balbriggan, 
British, Lisle, etc., and the popular and excellent Silk- 
Mixtures, Fancy Striped, Fancy Embroidered and 
Clouded Effects, and Solid Colors. 

Fast Blacks are good to buy as the right makes are 
now absolutely and reliably black ; and they are, 
therefore, again in favor. We guarantee the color fast. 

Silk Spliced or " re-inforced " hosiery has double heels, toes, and 
ankles, with silk threads interwoven, giving additional strength and 
handsome appearance. 

Lisle Thread Hose, although much liked by some, is not entirely 
desirable because the threads are apt to draw or pull apart, and it 
therefore lacks durability. 

Bicycle Hose in heavy and durable ribbed fabric, in solid black, brown 
and blue. 

GLOVES. 

Dress Gloves in Pearl or White, with White, Black, or Combination 
Stitching. 




DRESS GLOVES, WALKING GLOVES, HOSIERY, 



5* 



Walking Gloves with Pique Seams, in Tans and Browns, of Kid, 
Chevrette, Castor, Mocha, etc. 

Driving" Gloves in Fashionable Shades. 

Our lines of gloves are from the best French and American makers, and 
combine perfect shape and durability. 

HANDKERCHIEFS. 

WE carry at all times complete lines of handkerchiefs in all grades 
and qualities, of the prettiest and latest styles. 
Linen Cambric Hemstitched Handkerchiefs, Plain White, from 25 

cents upward. Borders from \ inch to \\ inches wide. 
Fancy Embroidered Linen Handkerchiefs, Plain and Colored Figures. 
Printed Linen Hemstitched Handkerchiefs in all the latest designs 

and color combinations, French and Irish. 
Silk Handkerchiefs, White, Black, and Fancy, at all prices, in season. 

SUSPENDERS, 

WHEN buying suspenders insist upon having fire gilt buckles 
which won't tarnish. Kid ends are the best if they are a good 
kid and not lambskin. Real kid wears well, remains pliable, and never 
squeaks. Imitation kid soon hardens and breaks. Russia leather also 
gets hard and squeaks. If the buttonholes are lined with chamois these 
defects are in part avoided. Of course, if you want these little niceties 
they will cost you a little more ; but all good things cost, and we let you 
know about them for your benefit. 

We offer choice lines of suspenders as follows : 
Plain Silk and Satin Webs, in solid colors, from bright to delicate. 
Embroidered Silk and Satin Webs, in handsome Jacquard and 

hand-worked patterns. 
Striped Silk Webs, Lasting Webs, plain and fancy. Trimmed with 

various buckles whose quality and convenience we can recommend. 
All the various styles of ends, kid, plain, or Mocha finish, round or flat, 

Colt, Russia, cord, etc. 

34 




LINEN HANDKERCHIEFS, ALL KINDS, 




CANES AND UMBRELLAS. 

MERICAN-made canes and umbrellas are now the 
best in the world. They are not only lighter, neater 
and more durable than foreign-made articles, but 
far surpass them in artistic merit. In no article of 
manufacture are more beautiful forms produced 
Our line at all times covers the best productions of 
the best makers. 



Umbrellas, with the unequalled Paragon steel ribs ; 26 in., 28 in., 30 in. 
silk, silk mixed and cambric covers. Of course silk is best for looks, 
but it costs more than the others, and even the best silk is not very 
durable. The silk-mixed is the best all around umbrella, it is just as 
good a rain shedder as the silk, is nearly as compact, and although 
not quite as good looking, will outwear the silk three to one. Cam- 
bric is of course for cheapness. 




Canes in all the qualities of East Indian, South American, and other 
imported sticks, including pimento, hazel, weichsel, orange, water- 
ash, Madagascars, etc. 



Both cane and umbrella handles in popular shapes and materials. Nat- 
ural knobs, silver mounts beautifully shaped and etched on buckhorn, 
buffalo horn, ivory, etc.; silver over natural wood, bright and oxydized 
finish, etc. 





SILVER TRIMMED HANDLES. 



3; 




UNDERWEAR. 




N no other department is the buyer so little able to judge 
of values, and so dependent upon the good faith of the 
seller. Only an expert can judge of qualities in under- 
wear, and shape, finish, etc., vary so greatly that buyers as 
a rule purchase goods that when worn prove unsatis- 
factory. It is important therefore to buy underwear 
whose shape and finish is known to be excellent, and whose quality is 
guaranteed by a trade mark whose reputation is high. We therefore 
offer only underwear of established excellence, and bearing the name of 
makers whose name is an assurance of quality. We now show a complete 
assortment of medium and light weights in 

French and English Balbriggan, Merino, Cashmere, 

All Wool, and Wool and Silk Mixtures. 
Pure Whites, Solid Colors, Natural, Fawn, and 

Fancy Stripes. 

These lines are from the best English, French, and American makers, 
are full fashioned and guaranteed of perfect proportions. All grades and 
prices are represented. High-priced all-silk underwear to special order. 




38 






WATERPROOFS. 

H E S E indispens- 
able garments we 
show in various 
weights, patterns 
and sizes. Hand- 
som e appear - 
ance, good venti- 
lation and light weight are the desirable 
qualities of this class of garments. The 
garments we offer have these requisites. 
They are shapely and stylish, and the 
fabrics have been selected with especial 
care with a view to durability, light- 
ness, and neat appearance. 

The fabrics in these goods are of 
both smooth and rough surfaces, in 
mixed colors and solid colors, ranging 
from dark to light. 




COLLARS AND CUFFS, 




T is well to buy only collars and cuffs whose makers have 
an established reputation to maintain. There's a great 
difference in qualities ; you can't see this difference, but 
it shows in the wear. A collar at 20 or 25 cents made 
by a well-known maker is cheaper than one at 12 or 15 
cents without a name. 
Cheap collars are of two kinds; those made of "tender" linen 
which has been rotted in the bleaching, and has no wear in it, or of linei7 
and cotton mixed, "union " linen, which wears "fuzzy" and never looks 
nice. Cheap linen is also full of "sprats" — otherwise lumps; they don't 
show at first, but after the first washing they show brown and big. The 
best collars have hand-made buttonholes, the others machine-made but- 
tonholes ; the former wear much the best. 

We handle only collars and cuffs that we can recommend as reliable ; 
and offer them in all accepted shapes. 





-Qi 



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::::!; 







ALL SHAPES IN GOOD QUALITIES. 
31 










SUMMER VESTS. 




UMMER VESTS are now much worn with flannel coats 
and trousers, and ordinary shirts, a compromise between 
the hot business suit and complete negligee. They are 
also very generally substituted for the cloth vest of the 
ordinary suit. We show them in duck, pique, etc., in 
plain white, striped, checked and figured ; and in the 
styles accepted for the present season. Prices very moderate. 



esides tl?e seasonable aoods enumerated on tr>e precedma 
paaes we offer every accessory of men s wear. Gompleie 
lines of \\)& followina: 

S CARF piNS, SHIRT S TUDS, L'NK B UTTONS , 

GUFF R UTTONS IN G QLD AND E NAME U 

P ULL D RESS P ROTECTORS 

and every requisite for null Press. 

B ATHING S U'TS, 

H OSE S UPPORTERS, 

L EATHER G QQDS > 

ETC, e tc., etc. 






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